The Ford Barn

38bill · 09-26-2016, 05:36 PM

The fitting is for use with an electric, external tank heater that was used to preheat the engine so it would start in frigid weather like in Alaska or here in MN. It has nothing to do with cabin heat except that the engine would warm up sooner so you would get heat in the cabin sooner. Nowadays they use a internal electric heating element in a frost plug or other opening. This is the one that came in a tank heater kit that I have. Its used to connect one of the two hoses to the engine and included several additional pipe nipples to use as needed.

RalphM · 09-26-2016, 05:45 PM

Looks like you have it! I'll have to pull it out now and check that. I have seen many flatheads up here with " head bolt" heaters in them. You would remove one of the head bolts/studs and screw in the head bolt heater, on top of the heater was a two prong electrical plug. All you needed was an extension cord to hear the engine.

RalphM · 09-26-2016, 11:04 PM

Just an ordinary fitting.

RalphM · 09-26-2016, 11:08 PM

This is a Head bolt heater, more common in most of the flatheads I've seen up here.

38bill · 09-26-2016, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RalphM

Just an ordinary fitting.

My photo shows it with one of the extra pipe nipples screwed in the end. Here's a new one currently offered. You can see the fitting is still very similar.

RalphM · 09-27-2016, 12:02 AM

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Very close, could have been the same setup. Who made those?

38bill · 09-27-2016, 11:30 AM

The photo I posted is from a current internet ad and its a "Kats" brand. "Kats" has been around for many years. Everybody had these tank heaters back in the day and they are still commonly used on tractors. I used them on several vehicles. They circulate the hot water through the engine by thermosiphon.

Alaska Jim · 09-27-2016, 02:19 PM

I used to have a '70 Maverick with a six cyl.that I put a 1500 watt tank heater on. If I left the defroster on, and it was only around 0*F , it would melt the snow not only from the windshield, but the hood as well if left on all night. by the way I have made 2 other posts to this thread that seem to have disappeared. we will see if this one stays, or if I have been banned for some reason.

38bill · 09-27-2016, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alaska Jim

I used to have a '70 Maverick with a six cyl.that I put a 1500 watt tank heater on. If I left the defroster on, and it was only around 0*F , it would melt the snow not only from the windshield, but the hood as well if left on all night. by the way I have made 2 other posts to this thread that seem to have disappeared. we will see if this one stays, or if I have been banned for some reason.

Jim, at least one of your posts is still here. I credited you as being correct on the tank heater fitting.

flatford8 · 09-27-2016, 03:54 PM

The fitting you took out resembles a quick release air fitting to me. I've used many of those Kat's heaters in a lower radiator hose.... Mark

Lawson Cox · 09-27-2016, 04:48 PM

I have a Junior model Southwind heater in my 35 PU. Will run you out, almost instantly.

38bill · 09-27-2016, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

I have a Junior model Southwind heater in my 35 PU. Will run you out, almost instantly.

A friend of mine had an old import car that had a gasoline heater when he was in collage. Started it up one cold morning and let it run while he grabbed a second cup of coffee. By the time he got back out to the car the dash knobs had started to melt. Thats hot!

RalphM · 09-27-2016, 08:56 PM

When I first got to Alaska everyone said to stay away from the percolating type heater, they said they caused a lot of vehicle fires.

Alaska Jim · 09-28-2016, 12:40 AM

When I moved here ( Alaska ) in the mid 70's that was all I used , never seen one catch fire. I guess if it was not installed and /or maintained that could happen. I have about a half a dozen of those fitting floating around my tool box left over from install, and replacing those heaters. I am a retired mechanic, and I have installed a ton of them. I started using freeze plug heaters on my own stuff because of the lack of all the extra hoses, and the possibility of more unnecessary problems/maintenance. 38 Bill, Thanks for the credit on I.D.ing the fitting.

38bill · 09-28-2016, 02:58 PM

Never had a problem with them either. Just had to keep the electrical cord away from moving parts.

09-26-2016, 05:45 PM	#22
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: 59AB- I have never seen this done before. Looks like you have it! I'll have to pull it out now and check that. I have seen many flatheads up here with " head bolt" heaters in them. You would remove one of the head bolts/studs and screw in the head bolt heater, on top of the heater was a two prong electrical plug. All you needed was an extension cord to hear the engine.

09-27-2016, 12:02 AM	#26
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: 59AB- I have never seen this done before. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Very close, could have been the same setup. Who made those?

09-27-2016, 11:30 AM	#27
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,166	Re: 59AB- I have never seen this done before. The photo I posted is from a current internet ad and its a "Kats" brand. "Kats" has been around for many years. Everybody had these tank heaters back in the day and they are still commonly used on tractors. I used them on several vehicles. They circulate the hot water through the engine by thermosiphon.

09-27-2016, 02:19 PM	#28
Alaska Jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 1,575	Re: 59AB- I have never seen this done before. I used to have a '70 Maverick with a six cyl.that I put a 1500 watt tank heater on. If I left the defroster on, and it was only around 0F , it would melt the snow not only from the windshield, but the hood as well if left on all night. by the way I have made 2 other posts to this thread that seem to have disappeared. we will see if this one stays, or if I have been banned for some reason. Last edited by Alaska Jim; 09-28-2016 at 12:46 AM.*

09-27-2016, 03:54 PM	#30
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,631	Re: 59AB- I have never seen this done before. The fitting you took out resembles a quick release air fitting to me. I've used many of those Kat's heaters in a lower radiator hose.... Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

09-27-2016, 04:48 PM	#31
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: 59AB- I have never seen this done before. I have a Junior model Southwind heater in my 35 PU. Will run you out, almost instantly. __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

09-27-2016, 08:56 PM	#33
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: 59AB- I have never seen this done before. When I first got to Alaska everyone said to stay away from the percolating type heater, they said they caused a lot of vehicle fires.

09-28-2016, 12:40 AM	#34
Alaska Jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 1,575	Re: 59AB- I have never seen this done before. When I moved here ( Alaska ) in the mid 70's that was all I used , never seen one catch fire. I guess if it was not installed and /or maintained that could happen. I have about a half a dozen of those fitting floating around my tool box left over from install, and replacing those heaters. I am a retired mechanic, and I have installed a ton of them. I started using freeze plug heaters on my own stuff because of the lack of all the extra hoses, and the possibility of more unnecessary problems/maintenance. 38 Bill, Thanks for the credit on I.D.ing the fitting. Last edited by Alaska Jim; 09-28-2016 at 12:46 AM.

09-28-2016, 02:58 PM	#35
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,166	Re: 59AB- I have never seen this done before. Never had a problem with them either. Just had to keep the electrical cord away from moving parts.